Generation Dry: For the Sober & Soberish Generation Dry

This week we had the pleasure to chat with our friend, Beth Bowen. Beth is a therapist, sober coach and podcast host of Sober Stories. In this episode we discuss seasonality and some of the challenges that may arise as we approach the holiday season. We identify potential triggers ( i.e. family, holiday parties, lack of structure) that can test one’s recovery and mental health and some strategies that can help us to manage these triggers. We talk about the importance of setting boundaries around the holidays, as well as how to pay attention to your “body battery” and hacks to recharge throughout this busy season. If you (like us) have anticipatory anxiety about the holidays and what that means for your sobriety and mental health, this episode is for you!

Connect with Beth Bowen on Instagram @bethbowen_ and checkout her podcast Sober Stories.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes the topic of suicide and may be upsetting or disturbing to some. Please listen with care.

In this week’s episode we chat with Rachael Madori, Sommelier and mental health activist. Rachael opens up to us about their own challenges with mental health and addiction, including their experiences in therapy and recovery. They share some of the barriers that have made it difficult to access quality mental health care and treatment, and how their current therapeutic relationship has been healing. They discuss their work with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and Survivor Day and how they have shared their own story as a suicide survivor to educate, create awareness and reduce stigma around the topic of suicide. Rachael also share’s their road to recovery including their decision to be Cali Sober and why this approach works for them.

Resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: dial 988
Cris Text Line: text “GO” to 741741

In this week’s episode we chat with Kelly Henderson, artist and stylist, about the importance of living authentically and living in alignment with one’s personal core values. Kelly shares her experiences in both her professional and personal life that led her to redefine beauty, prioritize her mental health and become a figure in the wellness community. She shares her history and relationship with alcohol, as well as some of the changes she needed to make to support her healing journey and reclaim her power. You can follow her on IG @velvetsedge.

In this week’s episode Leah shares some of the responses she received from her recent blog post, The Rise of Empowered, Single Women,” in response to the trending post, “The Rise of Lonely, Single Men ” (which we talked about  in last week’s episode). This conversation leads into a discussion about unhealthy and abusive relationships and Kayla opens about about her past abusive relationship. We talk about narcissistic abuse and pathological love relationships and why it can be difficult to detect initially, as well as leave these types of relationships. We discuss the patterns of abuse and some of the red flags to watch out for, as well as offer some resources and tools for our listeners on the topic.

Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma-ebook/dp/B00G3L1C2K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IGQ5FXA34W2D&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score&qid=1661046126&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+bod%2Cdigital-text%2C160&sr=1-1

If He’s so Great, Why Do I Feel So Bad by Avery Neal https://www.amazon.com/Hes-Great-Why-Feel-Bad-ebook/dp/B073NP3YXS

“The Rise of Empowered, Single Women” by Leah Aguirre  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-dating/202208/the-rise-empowered-single-women

Domestic Violence Support https://www.thehotline.org/

In this episode we discuss a recent trending article from Psychology Today that discusses the rise in “single, lonely men” amidst women become more firm in their values and boundaries. We discuss how changes in society and gender roles have created a culture of empowerment, as well as how women have come to take on and embrace different identities.

We talk about the impact of social media and pop culture on dating and relationships and our own sense of self-worth. We share our own personal experiences including ways we have come to reinforce our own boundaries and create healthier habits. Below are some amazing resources we recommend as well as the article that inspired today’s episode:

Psychology Today Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-state-our-unions/202208/the-rise-lonely-single-men

Book on Adult Attachment, “Attached” (if you have anxious attachment like Kayla or really any relationship issues): https://www.attachedthebook.com/wordpress/about-the-book/

Leah’s e-Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Dating-Made-Easy-Step-Step-ebook/dp/B0B2NM76M4/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=f27814ee-3d04-405c-824a-fbc4425bf26a

On this week’s episode we discuss loneliness. This topic is sensitive and carries a lot of stigma, which is why we need to talk about it.

We share our own experiences with loneliness and how that has shown up in both of our lives in the past few months. We discuss the difference between being alone and loneliness and how codependency can be an indicator of loneliness. We then share some of the ways we cope with feelings of loneliness and some of the resources that are available.

For more information and to stay connected, follow us on IG at @generationdry and subscribe!


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